BACKGROUND
On August 5, while investigating the Gold King Mine in Colorado, an EPA cleanup team triggered a large release of mine wastewater into Cement Creek. EPA is working closely with responders and local and state officials to monitor water contaminated by the release. The release’s path flows through three of EPA’s regions (Region 8 (Colorado/Utah & Southern Ute Tribe); Region 6 (New Mexico), and Region 9 (Navajo Nation). EPA has activated its Emergency Operations System to ensure coordination among its regions, laboratories and national program offices in Washington, D.C. EPA is closely coordinating with officials in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Southern Ute Tribe and Navajo Nation.
For the latest information and photos visit: http://www2.epa.gov/goldkingmine.
August 14, 2015 – Statement from Liane Jollon, San Juan Basin Health Executive Director regarding the Animas River reopening and health advisory
San Juan Basin Health cares about your health and we acknowledge our responsibility to protect you. We believe the EPA, The Federal Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment have all combined forces with local independent experts and community non-profits. Together there was a rigorous process to ensure your health and safety. Right now I have complete confidence in this decision. Local public health is loyal only to getting it right for you. We will continue to follow this issue very closely. Through the recovery you will continue to hear from us. We cannot do this without you. Please let us know what you need and what your concerns are through our website www.sjbhd.wbprg.pw.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Recreation
- Agricultural
- Animas River
- Livestock
- Drinking Water (9/8/15)
Data
- EPA Data
- CDPHE Data
- Az Geological Survey combined data map
Press Releases and .pdf”http://www.sjbhd.org/gold-king-mine-incident-communications-.pdf”>Gold King Mine Incident Communications .pdf”http://www.sjbhd.org/trout-from-the-animas-river-safe-to-eat-tests-show/” target=”_blank”>Trout from the Animas River safe to eat, tests show
- Gold King Mine Incident Communications .pdf”http://www.sjbhd.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/SJC-Road-Repair-Press-Release-v2.pdf”>Road Construction/Repairs May Cause Cement Creek to be Discolored
- .pdf”http://www.sjbhd.org/la-plata-county-recovery-center/”>La Plata County Recovery Center
- Animas River Health Advisory
- Sheriff Smith Opens Recreation on the River in La Plata County
- Gold King Mine QA 8 13 15
- News Release: Turbid Water Expected Today
- Statement: Irrigation ditches flushed, Turbid Water Expected Today
- Health department: Water treatment facilities can begin using Animas River water
- Irrigation Ditches to be Flushed
- Contamination in Animas River continues to decrease
- Drinking Water .pdf”http://www.sjbhd.org/august-10-.pdf” target=”_blank”>August 10 .pdf”http://www.sjbhd.org/public-meeting-and-opportunity-for-public-comment-on-the-animas-rivergold-king-mine-incident/”>Public Meeting and Opportunity for Public Comment on the Animas River/Gold King Mine Incident
- Animas River May Experience another Surge of Discolored Water
- Public Meeting Hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency on the Mine Waste Water Released into the Animas River
- NEWS RELEASE: Temporary Closure of the Animas River
- Mine Waste Water Released into Upper Portions of the Animas River
Please call the EPA call center at 844-607-9700 with spill-related questions.